HOSPITAL FINANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 304, 21 November 1933, Page 6

HOSPITAL FINANCE

EXPENDITURE EXCEEDS ESTIMATES. INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PATIENTS. “We estimated for the year on the basis of providing for 180 patients in hospital, but the numbers have been above 200 all the time. We may gain some respite in January from the pressure, but it is difficult to say whether or not we will be £ISOO to £2OOO down in our finances at the end of the year,” stated the managing-secretary (Mr A. J. Phillipps) in reporting on the financial position to the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, yesterday afternoon. “Despite a smaller expenditure per head, costs have increased owing to the larger number of patients in hospital,” Mr Phillipps added in stating that the maintenance expenditure was £17,883, as compared with the proportionate estimate of £15,750 for the period. The * expenditure was usually some £ISOO less, in the second half of the financial year, but the indications were that the board would still be overspent at the end of the year. Estimates had been framed for 50 patients at the Otaki sanatorium. The board had managed to provide for 60, and the expenditure had still been kept within the estimates. Cash receipts so far amounted to £3749, and free treatment had also been provided for all patients from this centre. The numbers in the Awapuni Old People’s Home were still lower, but despite the fact that there had been an over-expenditure of £6OO in the charitable aid accounts, the amount was still below that spent in the corresponding period of last year. Although £IOOO had been placed on the estimates for the maintenance of patients in other institutions, this expenditure already amounted to £1690, including an account of over £IOO incurred in respect of the Porirua crossing smash in which Palmerston North residents were injured.

There were no radium facilities at Palmerston North, where the establishment of such would mean an enormous outlay, and cancer cases had to be sent to Wellington for treatment.

Patients’ fees received to date amounted to £SIOO, compared with £5400 for the corresponding period of last year. The summer months usually brought better payments, but all depended upon the price of butterfat.